Wright Center To Host Caregivers Resource Fair The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton will host a Caregivers Resource Fair on Thursday, Nov. 20, offering family members and caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia an opportunity to connect with local support services and learn more about the Scranton JCC’s Café Connections and a regional support group. Rhonda Fallk The free public event at 501 S. Washington Ave., from 5-7 p.m., will feature keynote speaker, Rhonda Fallk, coordinator and facilitator of Café Connections and a local Alzheimer’s support group. Attendees will also be able to meet representatives from several community agencies representing Age-Friendly Lackawanna, and others offering valuable caregiver information. Café Connections is a memory café – a welcoming social environment designed for individuals experiencing memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, or other dementias and their care partners. Participants engage in creative arts, music, games, and other activities that promote connection and joy. Fallk will discuss how the café and support group foster community, reduce isolation, and strengthen the caregiving journey. Alzheimer’s disease, most common cause of dementia, is a progressive brain disorder that gradually impairs memory, thinking, and daily functioning. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 282,000 Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older are living with the disease. Supported by over 465,000 caregivers who provide 822 million hours of care each year. The Wright Center for Community Health’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program offers coordinated, comprehensive support for patients, families, and caregivers. The initiative is part of Age-Friendly Lackawanna, a collaborative network of nearly 30 community organizations dedicated to improving quality of life for older adults across the county. “Caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be both deeply meaningful and incredibly challenging,” said Nicole Flynn, director of the geriatrics service line at The Wright Center for Community Health. “Events like our Caregivers Resource Fair help families know they’re not alone. By connecting caregivers with local programs, education, and one another, we can build a strong, more compassionate network of support in our community.” For more information about The Wright Center, visit The WrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Misericordia University To Host Hometown Heroes Celebration Misericordia University is inviting the community to attend Hometown Heroes Night, a special event honoring the veterans, first responders, and service members who strengthen the region. Friends, families, and neighbors are encouraged to gather for an evening of recognition and gratitude, featuring complimentary food from Mission BBQ (while supplies last) and a thrilling hockey game following the ceremony. Event Details: Date: Friday, November 14, 2025 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Toyota Sports Plex, 40 Coal Street, Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 Community members are encouraged to come out to support and thank those who serve the region with courage and dedication. Learn more at misericordia.edu/alumni/events/hometown-heroes.
Lace Village To Host Holiday Market The second annual outdoor Holiday Market at Lace Village is returning to bring holiday magic to NEPA. The event will take place on Sunday, December 14th, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, offering festive fun, local shopping, and seasonal cheer. Admission is free, and the event is family friendly. Visitors can stroll through Lace Village, enjoy warm cocoa, sing along to holiday favorites, relax by the fire pits, and experience the enchanting atmosphere of the season. The Holiday Market is designed to spread holiday cheer and bring the community together. Highlights include: Over 50 local vendors and businesses, ideal for holiday shopping Photos with Santa benefiting Toys for Tots — guests are encouraged to bring a toy or make a cash donation Live entertainment featuring holiday music performances A raffle basket area supporting the Julia Hockey Mazur Foundation Community members are encouraged to mark their calendars for a festive day filled with shopping, generosity, and holiday joy.
Misericordia University To Host Fall Open House Misericordia University invites families to attend its Fall Open House on Saturday, November 15, and to experience all that the campus has to offer. Parents and students will have the opportunity to tour Misericordia University’s scenic grounds, meet dedicated faculty and staff, and learn more about the institution’s academic programs, admissions, financial aid, and student life. The event provides an inside look at how Misericordia supports student success both academically and personally. Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025Location: Misericordia University Campus Click here to find more information.
Ballet Theatre Opens Holiday Season with 50th ‘Nutcracker’ Ballet Theatre of Scranton, under the artistic direction of Joanne Arduino, will kick off the holiday season with it’s 50th anniversary annual performances of The Nutcracker at the Theater at North over Thanksgiving weekend on Friday Nov 28, Saturday Nov 29 ,and Sunday Nov 30, at 12 noon and 5:30 pm each day. This traditional gift to the community has offered free public performances since 1976. Free tickets can be picked up at the box office at the Theater at North on the day of the specific performance, two hours prior to curtain. A sensory friendly performance is offered to an invited audience as well as the traditional educational performances for area school children. A Jubilee Performance will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at The Theatre at North. Alumni are invited to arrive at 4:00 PM for check-in, with a commemorative photo on stage at 4:30 PM, followed by the performance at 5:30 PM. This milestone performance will be a joyful reunion of past and present cast members, honoring the legacy of Ballet Theatre of Scranton and the generations of dancers who have brought The Nutcracker to life. Over 100 local dancers from ages 9- adult will perform and will feature alumna Laura Durkin as Sugarplum Fairy and professional guest artists Sanford Placide (previously of Dance Theater of Harlem, NYC) and Philadelphia Ballet principal dancers Arian Molina Soca and Dayesi Torriente. All performances are free and open to the public, with reserved seating available through Nutcracker Benefactor donations by Nov 1. For more information, call 570-347-2867 or visit www.balletscranton.org
Amy Bezek Photography To Host Full Moon Gong Sound Bath Guests are invited to attend a Full Moon Gong Sound Bath with Gebiya Vibrations and La Luna Vibrations at Amy Bezek Photography on Wednesday, November 5th, from 6:00–8:00 PM. Participants will step into a dark, peaceful studio and immerse themselves in the resonant sound waves of the gong, allowing the vibrations to promote harmony, clarity, and calm while meditating under the energy of the full moon. Attendees are encouraged to bring a yoga mat, pillows, blankets, water, and any additional items needed to remain warm and comfortable throughout the meditation session. Click here for more information. ✨ Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 ✨ Time: 6:00–8:00 PM ✨ Location: Amy Bezek Photography Studio
Marywood To Present Advocacy and Social Justice Day Marywood University will highlight the theme “Raise Your Voice, Shape Your Future” during events at this year’s Advocacy and Social Justice Day, Wednesday, November 5, on Marywood’s campus. Co-organizers of the event are Amy Fotta, director of community service and social justice, and Monica Law, Ph.D., director of the School of Business and Global Innovation. Featured public events include a panel session with highlights of the documentary, Making NEPA Home, featuring stories of resilience, unity, and cultural diversity, in the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life at 1 p.m. The panelists will include Kara Washington, WVIA; Julie Schumacher-Cohen, University of Scranton; and Ushu Mukelo, Congolese Community of Scranton. At 3 p.m., there will be a re-dedication and celebration of the Mother Theresa Maxis IHM Center, named in honor of the co-founder of the IHM Congregation. The event will feature a conversation with Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM, and Lisa A. Lori, J.D., Marywood President, will give a presentation about the vision for the Center. There will be a Feed a Friend Food Drive challenge kick-off held on campus, as well as a social justice art display in the Kresge Gallery at the Insalaco Center for Studio Arts. Throughout the day, the campus community can participate in social justice discussion circles and tours of the campus green house and flex farm hydroponics system. A clothing swap also will be held. For more information about Advocacy and Social Justice Day at Marywood University, contact Amy Fotta at amfotta@marywood.edu or call 570-348-6211, extension 4593.
WVIA To Host Opioid Crisis Town Hall in Wyoming County Event Kicks Off Multi-Platform Initiative in Partnership with the Wyoming County Opioid Settlement Committee Aimed at Education, Awareness, and Recovery WVIA invites the public to attend a special town hall discussion on Sunday, November 2nd, at the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock, focusing on how Wyoming County is confronting the ongoing opioid crisis. Wyoming County Voices: Battling the Opioid Crisis Together Town Hall, will feature a panel discussion which will be recorded in front of a live audience and later broadcast on WVIA TV on Monday, November 17th at 7 p.m. This informative discussion will feature local professionals, community leaders, and residents sharing real-life stories and expert insights about how the region is responding to substance use and supporting recovery. The program will explore key themes including stigma, the role of emergency services, current substance use trends, and pathways to recovery, offering hope and understanding as the community works together to address this critical issue. This discussion will be moderated by WVIA News Director of Journalism, Julie Sidoni. Panelists include: Joe Peters, Wyoming County District Attorney Cammie Anderson, Prevention Education Coordinator Dr. Arianne Scheller, PhD, LPC, Mental Health and Substance Use Expert Robert M. Carpenter, NRP, CP-C, CCISM, CHEP, Executive Director, Emergency Medical Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania The town hall marks the kickoff of a broader WVIA initiative centered on opioids in Wyoming County. The initiative will continue in the months ahead with the production of a series of educational videos and school-based drug awareness sessions designed to inform and support communities throughout Wyoming County. Additional details about the initiative will be announced at a later date. Community members are encouraged to follow WVIA’s website, wvia.org, and social media channels for updates. Wyoming County Voices: Battling the Opioid Crisis Together Town Hall will premiere on WVIA TV on Monday, November 17th at 7 p.m. Encore Presentations are as follows: Tuesday, November 18th at 4 p.m. Thursday, November 20th at 7 p.m. Friday, November 21st at 4 p.m. Thursday, December 11th at 9 p.m. Friday, December 12th at 2 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the live taping of the town hall and join the conversation. Registration is not required, but it is encouraged. Funding support for this initiative is provided by the Wyoming County Opioid Settlement Committee.
